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Scout helps save gorillas

Eight year-old, Will Chambers, a Joey Scout from the 3rd Sunbury Scout Group has recycled 170 mobile phones in support of gorilla conservation.

Will collected the phones in support of They’re Calling on You and dropped them off at Werribee Open Range Zoo today, where he met the Zoo's gorillas and their keepers.

Will collected the phones in just three weeks through the scout community and his school, Goonawarra Primary in Sunbury. Both groups got behind Will with notices and phone tallies in the school newsletter.

One of the biggest threats to endangered Eastern Lowland and Mountain Gorillas is the illegal mining of coltan, a mineral used in mobile phones. Mining results in the clearing of essential habitat and drives the bush meat trade, further exacerbating the decline of primate populations.

Every mobile phone that’s recycled makes a difference and thanks to people like Will, Zoos Victoria has recycled almost 94,000 phones and raised more than $175,000 for primate conservation!

If you would like to get involved, you can drop off your mobile phones at Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo, post them reply paid or organise a courier pick up from your school or organisation.